Lent 2020: A Few Reminders

March 1, 2020

Father David Jones

More Praying…More Fasting…More Giving

It might be more accurate to say that there is the “forty day fast within Lent.” Historically, Lent has varied from a week to three weeks to the present configuration of 46 days. The forty day fast, however, has been more stable.

The Sundays are certainly part of the Time of Lent, but they are not prescribed days of fast and abstinence. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of of abstinence.

For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59.

When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal.

The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church form age 14 onwards.

Those that are excused from fast and abstinence outside the age limits include the physically or mentally ill including individuals suffering from chronic illnesses such as diabetes. Also excluded are pregnant or nursing women.

In all cases, common sense should prevail, and ill persons should not further jeopardize their health by fasting.

WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN TIME TO INCREASE PRAYING

For the seaon of Lent:

The church will be open daily from Noon - 6:00 PM for personal prayer.

Mass will be celebrated every Wednesday at 12:30 PM for communal prayer.

Stations of the Cross are prayed on Friday at Noon.

Invite someone back to church for Sunday at 9:30 AM.

Parish organizations are asked to schedule a prayer service for members.

Any and all parishioners are invited to schedule a prayer service for family, friends, neighbors, “whom so ever will, let him come” with you.

WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN TIME TO INCREASE GIVING

St. Benedict the African (SBA) assists non-SBA ministries with $5,000 each Easter. Please give more during Lent in order to help us make this Easter gift.

The Parish Council will select 2020 recipients at the March 9th meeting.

WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN TIME TO INCREASE FASTING

There will be less food and no meat for hospitality after Mass.

Want to Learn More?

Read posts on the bible, liturgical practices, holy days of obligation, and more.

April 11, 2020

April 2, 2020

As we approach the feast of the Resurrection on Sunday, April 12, we may well feel like we are entombed by precautionary measures that have altered the rhythm of life these days given the threat associated with coronavirus.

March 8, 2020

March 1, 2020

It might be more accurate to say that there is the “forty day fast within Lent.” Historically, Lent has varied from a week to three weeks to the present configuration of 46 days. The forty day fast, however, has been more stable.

February 5, 2020

In 1949, famed Harlem Renaissance writer Langston Hughes celebrated Negro History Week (the precursor to Black History Month) with members of the Oblate Sisters of Providence and their students at the all black and Catholic St. Alphonsus School in Wilson, North Carolina.

January 5, 2020

It is a new year, a time to look back and reflect, to look ahead and rethink some things and make decisions. Today in this beginning of the new year I want to speak of a charge to us, the people of God of St. Benedict the African parish.

December 15, 2019

Today is the 30th anniversary of the ordination of Father David Jones. He was born on November 17, 1962 and ordained on December 15, 1989. His loving parents and supportive family helped to place him on a path toward God. This intention must have already been in his soul because it was apparent in him at a very early age.